ok boys now dust has settled, anyone gone in yet for next year ...honestly

emperor ming NO WAY will you get 5/1 conor and 8/1 the mullins traffic cone dont talk PISH

The New One-CH 10/1
At Fishers Cross-WH 6/1
Cue Card-GC 25/1
Might have a bit of Sprinter Sacre for the GC as well at 20/1 just in case(Paddy Power offered me the price btw)

Yep, always have a few bets straight after (or during) the previous year's festival.  So far:

The New One, Champion Hurdle, 14-1
Lord Windemere, Gold Cup, 33-1
Cue Card, Gold Cup, 25-1
Solwhit, World Hurdle, 12-1

Always get a few non-runners, but can usually get a decent position or two, e.g. this year went into the GC with Bobs worth at 12-1 and SDC at 33-1...

I think you do the right thing, ok they may not run r at times the price may lengthen, but if you look at this years championship winners then most could have been found at this time of year(not that I did even on the day). I seem to throw money awqay on bad races and every year approach Chelt with very few  A/P bets 1 this year.

ROR @ 27 on here - CH
Cue Card @ 25 nrfb with vic offer- GC
Annie Power @ 40 nrfb with vic offer - CH

Any thoughts on al ferof for gold cup 38.0 on betfair

I snapped up the 10s on Our Connor just because I thought it was too big.
Generally I'm much less active ante post than I used to be because there are so many alternative titles in the new and horribly watered down pseudo championship that is the modern fesitval. Our conner has no other possible target than the Champion though.

Countrywide Flame is a classic case of one I wouldn't touch with a barge pole unless I knew for sure what he was being aimed at. He ran a very good race for a 5-y-o in the Champion and with Hurricane Fly being 10 next year, and Rock On Ruby almost certainly going over fences (sorry Buddeliea) there's a good case for him having another go at the Champion. He may also go over fences. Would be very interesting for the WH if targeted at it but imho that's the least likely of the three.

6-1 Bobsworth is a great snap nostaw, how did you manage that? Jealous.

I have some ideas, but i'm in two minds whether to go through with them or not. I was buying a thing or two recently, and it was better than betting ante post with every penny i got. I'm put off ante posts by the traders who cut prices at a ridiculous rate. We are a year away from the festival and you still can't blink. It's that bad.

had 2 x £50 Cue Card VC bet offer (free bet if NR) at 25s for the Gold Cup

If I had any influence over where he ran I would be telling them to go for the Betfair Bowl, where he would largely face inferior horses, to take advantage of finding out now (whilst he is in peak form and fully fit) whether he is likely to stay 3 miles+ in future. If he couldn't win that race then you would know.

I thought he was electric over his fences at Cheltenham and I have no worries about that as long as they front run with him. The Melling tells you nothing you don't already know other than he can't beat Sprinter Sacre as you say. Could actually be damaging to have an overly hard race against that monster.

Still think many people are massively underestimating how good the horse is - long may it continue because I have smacked him the last twice at very decent odds

JR - I agree that The Bowl would be a much better option - I just cannot see him staying on terms if he decides to make the running and Flemenstar's breathing down his neck, pressurising him into mistakes...not to mention that other thing!

he doesn't make many mistakes, don't know why you keep saying that

JR - I've just watched The Ryanair again and with hindsight, you're right in the main, and I'm probably being a bit harsh on him (on this occasion) as he wasn't as bad as I'd recalled, but he's got plenty of 'form' at his obstacles in other races...though I can't be arsed getting the fine-tooth comb out

He just doesn't convince over the obstacles and he's often looked like an accident waiting to happen to me with that high head-carriage - he's a bit like Long Run, though that beast always manages to stay up!

Ryanair Fencing;
1. reached for it and hind legs split the birch
2. clean jump at the water
3. not a bad jump but hind legs again brush the top.
4. clean jump but slightly skewed in the air
5.    "    "    "    "      "    "     "
6. a nice bold jump five from home
7. a good jump but again, slightly skewed
8. another good jump at three out
9. in a bit close at two out but didn't lose momentum
10th & final fence - excellent jump considering it was the business end.

His fencing isn't assured for me & lacks fluency - if he gets in a pace duel with Flemenstar I think he'll be in trouble.
Do you think he's a natural fencer? I certainly don't!

WC - that's how I see it too, and though I'm not sure who's the better out of him & Flemenstar, I think if he's on the pace at Aintree and is pressed for it, he may end up on the floor, or commit a serious (race-losing) blunder - I hope Flemenstar doesn't give him an easy lead as his main asset (brilliant fencing) should be employed to get the most out of him, though he'll still be a sitting-duck for Sprinter Sacre after he's fended off Cue Card.

They're two smashing young chasers though they're totally overshadowed by a giant!

BarryM, managed to get the 6-1 straight after the race. Lasted about 20 minutes before he was in to 7-2!!
I agree with WellChief on Pont Alexandre, great shout for the RSA.
Also not the biggest fan of Cue Card but he certainly improved my opinion of him with his performance in the Ryanair, but I would be backing Flemenstar aginst him in a match race over 2m4f.

Tizzard already mooted he'd avoid the race if Sprinter Sacre turns up,
Might be a good option as could take in the Betfair Bowl and see how he fairs over the trip with BW/SDC/LR/CC all not running there.

Cue Card would absolutely **** his pants when I go off in front and don't allow him to get into a rhythm

adults will admit on a public forum that they'll take single figs about a 5 year old to win a CH 12 months in advance?

I mean, I've always suspected it may be the case (that people would make the bet) but it just never occurred to me people would say it out loud.

Now I'm gunna share something, but please don't repost it.  Just between us; I like to wear ladies underwear.

CC would get trounced by Conti in the bowl.